The Cooper Select Difference: Why the Barrel Matters
When it comes to bourbon, most people think the grains or the distillation process define the flavor. But the truth is, the barrel plays just as big of a role, if not bigger.
At Coal Pick, we trust Cooper Select barrels because they bring out the best in every drop of our bourbon.
Why the Barrel Matters
Up to 70% of bourbon’s flavor comes from the barrel. As the spirit ages, it interacts with the charred oak, pulling out complex notes of caramel, vanilla, spice, and smoke. The barrel doesn’t just store the bourbon, it transforms it.
What Makes Cooper Select Different
Not all barrels are created equal. Cooper Select barrels are crafted with precision, starting with American white oak that’s seasoned outdoors for months. This slow seasoning process allows the wood to naturally shed harsh tannins while concentrating the sweet, rich compounds that elevate flavor.
Climate and Character
Coal Pick’s 4,000-acre property provides the perfect environment for barrel aging. Hot Kentucky summers expand the wood, cold winters contract it, and the spirit moves in and out of the oak with the seasons. Cooper Select barrels are built to thrive in this climate, ensuring consistency and depth year after year.
Long-Term Flavor Impact
The longer bourbon rests in Cooper Select barrels, the more refined it becomes. Early on, you’ll taste bright vanilla and toasted oak. With time, richer notes of dried fruit, spice, and dark caramel emerge. Each barrel becomes a fingerprint, unique, complex, and impossible to replicate.
A Mark of Quality
By choosing Cooper Select, Coal Pick ensures every barrel tells the right story. It’s a commitment to craftsmanship that positions our bourbon at the premium level it deserves, not just because of what goes in, but because of what the barrel gives back.
At Coal Pick, we don’t just make bourbon. We let Cooper Select barrels help us craft a spirit worth savoring.